88 THE DATE PALM. 



amount to be used will vary with the age of the tree, quality of 

 the soil and the time which will elapse between the applications. 

 It is better practice to give a small quantity annually than to 

 give a larger amount only after a lapse of several years. About 50 

 Ibs. of well-rotted manure per tree annually would be a beneficial 

 dressing. When applying the manure the earth may be removed 

 around the tree to a radius of 3 or 4 feet and to a depth of 2 or 

 3 inches. In this excavation the dung may be spread and covered 

 up by replacing the soil again. The operation is done before 

 spring growth commences. The growing and ploughing in of a 

 crop of green manure between the trees may be resorted to. 



San (Crotolaria juncea) may be grown for this purpose 

 when the date plants are big enough not to be too much 

 overshadowed by it. In Egypt and elsewhere leguminous fodder 

 crops are grown between the trees. These crops may be fed, 

 where they grow, to cattle, or may be carried off the land and 

 fed to cattle elsewhere, but even in the latter case their residue of 

 roots, etc., left in the land enriches it in nitrogen. In the Punjab, 

 Lentils (Ervum lens) gram (Cicer arietinum) peas (Pisum sativum) 

 vetches (Lathyrus sp.) senji (Melilotus parviflora) etc., may be 

 grown in winter and moth (Phaseolus aconitifolius] mash (Ph. 

 radiatus) mung (Ph. mungo) and such crops may be grown in 

 summer for this purpose. Where vegetables, etc., are grown 

 between the trees and manure is applied to these crops, the 

 fertility of the soil is kept up in that way (see para. 46, page 83, 

 for further auxiliary crops, and para. 58, page 91, for cultivation 

 of the soil where no auxiliary crop is grown). 



54. Adult trees require very little attention and care. 

 Where harm from winter frosts is feared, they 



Leaf pruning and 



clearing of excess of should not be severclv pruned in autumn, as 



off-shoots and rub- 

 bish from the bases a large number of leaves on the top of the plant 



of the trees. , 



protect its inner and more tender young leaves 

 from the colds in winter. It is especially necessary to remember 

 this in the case of young plants in such situations, as small plants 

 are more liable to injury than taller ones (see page 32, para. 17). 

 Special conditions as regards disease, etc., may arise, however, 



